Cost Of Living For a Student in Iraq 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: IQD
Average monthly spending for students in Iraq
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Iraq?
Students in Iraq spend around 530,000 IQD per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 80,000 IQD or as high as 3.5M IQD. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Iraq
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
| 1,100 IQD | 2,100 IQD | 3,500 IQD |
Restaurant meal for one
| 3,500 IQD | 5,300 IQD | 11,000 IQD |
Fine dining meal for one
| 7,000 IQD | 11,000 IQD | 42,000 IQD |
Cappuccino or latte
| 880 IQD | 1,400 IQD | 2,100 IQD |
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
| 700 IQD | 850 IQD | 1,100 IQD |
12 eggs
| 530 IQD | 700 IQD | 1,100 IQD |
Fresh whole chicken
| 1,200 IQD | 1,600 IQD | 2,200 IQD |
Pack of beef
| 1,400 IQD | 2,100 IQD | 4,200 IQD |
Medium bag of rice
| 570 IQD | 780 IQD | 1,100 IQD |
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
| 880 IQD | 1,100 IQD | 2,100 IQD |
Average car full tank
| 5,300 IQD | 7,000 IQD | 14,000 IQD |
Average car 1-day rental
| 5,300 IQD | 7,000 IQD | 11,000 IQD |
Average car price
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 7,000 IQD | 11,000 IQD | 21,000 IQD |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 3,200 IQD | 21,000 IQD | 140,000 IQD |
Internet and cable
| 5,300 IQD | 11,000 IQD | 14,000 IQD |
Mobile phone charges
| 4,200 IQD | 7,000 IQD | 21,000 IQD |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
| 2,600 IQD | 3,500 IQD | 5,300 IQD |
One month gym membership
| 8,500 IQD | 11,000 IQD | 21,000 IQD |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 6,200 IQD | 8,800 IQD | 13,000 IQD |
Woman dress
| 5,900 IQD | 8,100 IQD | 26,000 IQD |
Woman shoes
| 5,600 IQD | 7,500 IQD | 18,000 IQD |
Men's shoes
| 4,800 IQD | 5,900 IQD | 12,000 IQD |
Men suit
| 5,300 IQD | 6,600 IQD | 35,000 IQD |
Regular t-shirt
| 2,600 IQD | 3,500 IQD | 11,000 IQD |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 88,000 IQD | 130,000 IQD | 350,000 IQD |
1-bedroom apartment
| 130,000 IQD | 210,000 IQD | 530,000 IQD |
2-bedroom apartment
| 180,000 IQD | 260,000 IQD | 700,000 IQD |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
1-bedroom apartment
2-bedroom apartment
| 35M IQD | 110M IQD | 210M IQD |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 110,000 IQD | 130,000 IQD | 180,000 IQD |
Double Bed
| 70,000 IQD | 110,000 IQD | 130,000 IQD |
Single Bed
| 62,000 IQD | 81,000 IQD | 110,000 IQD |
Living Room
| 120,000 IQD | 150,000 IQD | 530,000 IQD |
Dining Table
| 53,000 IQD | 70,000 IQD | 130,000 IQD |
Sofa or Couch
| 70,000 IQD | 96,000 IQD | 210,000 IQD |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 70,000 IQD | 110,000 IQD | 210,000 IQD |
Fridge or Freezer
| 62,000 IQD | 96,000 IQD | 130,000 IQD |
Washing Machine
| 81,000 IQD | 120,000 IQD | 210,000 IQD |
Stove or Cooker
| 75,000 IQD | 96,000 IQD | 130,000 IQD |
Mobile Phone
| 88,000 IQD | 110,000 IQD | 150,000 IQD |
Laptop or Computer
| 96,000 IQD | 120,000 IQD | 210,000 IQD |
How do students spend their money in Iraq?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost17%
17% of total expenses on average (12% to 23%)
| LOW | $15 19,000 IQD |
| AVERAGE | $97 130,000 IQD |
| HIGH | $650 850,000 IQD |
| Per Month |
Students in Iraq typically spend from 12% to 23% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 17% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 130,000 IQD with expenditure ranging from 19,000 IQD to 850,000 IQD. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities7%
7% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $2.4 3,200 IQD |
| AVERAGE | $16 21,000 IQD |
| HIGH | $110 140,000 IQD |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Iraq ranges from 5% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 21,000 IQD with 3,200 IQD and 140,000 IQD being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel4%
4% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $4.3 5,600 IQD |
| AVERAGE | $28 37,000 IQD |
| HIGH | $190 250,000 IQD |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 5,600 IQD to 250,000 IQD in a month on commuting with 37,000 IQD being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 4% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 10%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost23%
23% of total expenses on average (17% to 27%)
| LOW | $12 16,000 IQD |
| AVERAGE | $81 110,000 IQD |
| HIGH | $540 710,000 IQD |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Iraq is 110,000 IQD. The cost of groceries can range between 16,000 IQD to 710,000 IQD. Students spend on average about 23% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 17% and 27% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare9%
9% of total expenses on average (6% to 12%)
| LOW | $3.7 4,800 IQD |
| AVERAGE | $24 32,000 IQD |
| HIGH | $160 210,000 IQD |
| Per Month |
Students in Iraq allocate 6% to 12% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 9%. The range of medical expenses range from 4,800 IQD to 210,000 IQD with 32,000 IQD being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping2%
2% of total expenses on average (2% to 6%)
| LOW | $3.1 4,000 IQD |
| AVERAGE | $20 26,000 IQD |
| HIGH | $130 180,000 IQD |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 4,000 IQD to 180,000 IQD with 26,000 IQD being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 6% of total expenses with an average of 2% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling18%
18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $12 15,000 IQD |
| AVERAGE | $77 100,000 IQD |
| HIGH | $510 670,000 IQD |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 18% of the monthly expenditure of students with 11% and 23% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 100,000 IQD per month with 15,000 IQD being the minimum spent amount and 670,000 IQD being the maximum.
Other Expenses19%
19% of total expenses on average (13% to 25%)
| LOW | $9.2 12,000 IQD |
| AVERAGE | $61 79,000 IQD |
| HIGH | $400 530,000 IQD |
| Per Month |
A typical and healthy budgeting structure
The 50/30/20 rule
Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle,
location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule,
which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.
50% for needs and financial obligations
This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.
30% for wants and discretionary spending
This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.
20% for savings and emergency fund
This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.
About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Affordable living in Iraq
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Iraq?
Around 56% of surveyed students think that living in Iraq is affordable with proper budgeting while 44% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Iraq
People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked students how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options57%
Few low-cost options43%
Based on the survey, 57% of the students living in Iraq have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 43% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Emergency Funds For Students
An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked students of Iraq whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes56%
No44%
Based on the survey, 44% of the students living in Iraq said that they don't have an emergency fund while 56% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in Iraq
Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.
Financial Leteracy51%
We asked student guardians and parents in Iraq whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 49% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 51% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.
Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning
We wanted to understand whether students of Iraq have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 40% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 60% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance40%
Easily manages finances60%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Iraq
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Iraq
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 88,000 IQD | 130,000 IQD | 350,000 IQD |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 130,000 IQD | 210,000 IQD | 530,000 IQD |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 180,000 IQD | 260,000 IQD | 700,000 IQD |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 210,000 IQD | 350,000 IQD | 960,000 IQD |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 420,000 IQD | 1.1M IQD | 2.1M IQD |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 350,000 IQD | 530,000 IQD | 1.5M IQD |
House monthly rent cost
| 420,000 IQD | 1.1M IQD | 2.1M IQD |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 530,000 IQD | 1.3M IQD | 2.1M IQD |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Iraq ranges between 88,000 IQD and 350,000 IQD, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 130,000 IQD to 530,000 IQD. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 180,000 IQD and 700,000 IQD per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 210,000 IQD to 960,000 IQD. The average rent of a townhouse in Iraq is around 530,000 IQD while house rental costs can be as high as 1.1M IQD per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 530,000 IQD to 2.1M IQD per month.
Apartment and house prices in Iraq
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
1-bedroom apartment price
2-bedroom apartment price
| 35M IQD | 110M IQD | 210M IQD |
3-bedroom apartment price
| 120M IQD | 180M IQD | 530M IQD |
| $90,000 | $130,000 | $400,000 |
Townhouse price
| 150M IQD | 350M IQD | 1,300M IQD |
House price
| 180M IQD | 1,100M IQD | 1,500M IQD |
Villa price
| 210M IQD | 1,200M IQD | 1,800M IQD |
The average price of a studio apartment in Iraq can range from 18M IQD to 53M IQD depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 21M IQD to 130M IQD. A villa can cost you 1,200M IQD on average with prices ranging from 210M IQD to 1,800M IQD.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Iraq will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio
( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 30 | x84 monthly income | 190 |
Property prices in Iraq can be x84 to x190 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x84 multiples of the average monthly salary in Iraq.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Iraq is around 28%. This means that people pay 28% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 18% to 38% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
Housing affordability index
The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.
Housing Affordability Index
26% Property Taxes
Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.
Home Maintenance Costs
Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.
| 1,600 IQD | 21,000 IQD | 210,000 IQD |
Urban vs. rural living costs
Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Iraq
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Iraq
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 3,200 IQD | 21,000 IQD | 140,000 IQD |
Internet and cable cost
| 5,300 IQD | 11,000 IQD | 14,000 IQD |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 4,200 IQD | 7,000 IQD | 21,000 IQD |
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly energy and water consumption of students is around 21,000 IQD. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 5,300 IQD to 14,000 IQD with 11,000 IQD being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 7,000 IQD but can range between 4,200 IQD and 21,000 IQD depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.
Energy / Utility expense to income ratio
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in Iraq is around 7%. This means that people pay 7% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 4% to 11% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Iraq
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Iraq
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
| 1,100 IQD | 2,100 IQD | 3,500 IQD |
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Iraq is approximatly 2,100 IQD with meal cost ranging from 1,100 IQD to 3,500 IQD. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
| 3,500 IQD | 5,300 IQD | 11,000 IQD |
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 3,500 IQD and 11,000 IQD with 5,300 IQD being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Iraq.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 7,000 IQD | 11,000 IQD | 42,000 IQD |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 7,000 IQD to 42,000 IQD with the average cost being 11,000 IQD for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Iraq.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
| 880 IQD | 1,400 IQD | 2,100 IQD |
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Iraq is around 1,400 IQD. Price ranges between 880 IQD and 2,100 IQD depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
| 700 IQD | 850 IQD | 1,100 IQD |
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Iraq is 850 IQD. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 1,100 IQD and the minimum being 700 IQD depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
| 530 IQD | 700 IQD | 1,100 IQD |
A dozen eggs costs around 700 IQD on average with 530 IQD and 1,100 IQD being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
| 1,200 IQD | 1,600 IQD | 2,200 IQD |
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Iraq is between 1,200 IQD and 2,200 IQD depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 1,600 IQD.
Pack of beef price
| 1,400 IQD | 2,100 IQD | 4,200 IQD |
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 2,100 IQD. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
| 570 IQD | 780 IQD | 1,100 IQD |
A bag of rice in Iraq costs around 780 IQD on average with prices rangeing between 570 IQD and 1,100 IQD depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 210 IQD to 530 IQD. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 490 IQD on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio
( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average grocery-to-income ratio in Iraq is around 27%. This means that students spend 27% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 19% to 33% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 16,000 IQD to 710,000 IQD with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
